President Taye Atske Selassie has called for the establishment of a Pan-African Innovation Corridor to strengthen youth skills and ensure sustainable job opportunities across the continent. This call was made during the opening of the Africa Business Forum 2026 in Addis Ababa, an event organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission and other key stakeholders. 

In his address, President Taye noted that 70 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 30, emphasizing that the continent must prioritize skill-building and innovation tailored to this demographic. He cited the "Digital Ethiopia 2030" strategy and the recent corridor development projects in Addis Ababa as successful examples that have already created employment for thousands of women and youth. 

The forum, which is being held under the theme "Financing Africa's Future: Jobs and Innovation for Sustainable Transformation," issued a collective call for governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to work together on value-adding activities. Participants, including government leaders, private sector actors, development organizations, ambassadors, and civil society representatives, were urged to focus on sustainable industrial development, modern technology adoption, job creation, and food security.